Starting August, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to impart lessons on public health to 4 lakh children from 1,331 primary civic-run schools in the city.

Starting August, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to impart lessons on public health to 4 lakh children from 1,331 primary civic-run schools in the city.

“We have decided to undertake this initiative as part of our school health programme, which at present focuses on examining and treating the schoolchildren. We are keen on bringing in the preventive health aspect,” said additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar.

“Through this programme, children aged 6 to 12 would

be given lessons on lifelong healthy habits.”

Some of the lessons would include harmful effects of street food, importance of personal hygiene and clean surroundings. “We hope the lessons will help in curbing illnesses in children that spread by means of unhygienic food or improper personal hygiene,” said Mhaiskar.

The programme will be worked out in close coordination with the health and education department of the civic body.

The children will also be provided with books offering lessons on public health awareness.

“The books will be given to schoolchildren from Class 1 to 7. The lessons will be included in our syllabus. The teachers will also be provided training for the same,” said an official from the BMC’s education department on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.